In its second year, the Nebraska Science Festival -- scheduled for April 24-27, 2014 – features an array of science- and technology-related activities, as well as extends programming into Lincoln as it builds toward being a statewide celebration.

Tickets for the general admission seating will be released on Saturday, Jan. 25 on a first-come, first-served basis. To obtain your tickets (a maximum of two per person), stop by the Joslyn Museum between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Although the presentation is free, tickets are required for admittance when doors open April 25 at 7 p.m.

A self-proclaimed maker of things, Savage has spent his life gathering skills that allow him to take what's in his brain and make it real. He's built everything from ancient Buddhas to futuristic weapons, from spaceships to dancing vegetables, from fine art sculptures to animated chocolate — and just about anything else you can think of.

The son of a filmmaker/painter and a psychotherapist, Savage has been making his own toys since he was allowed to hold scissors. Having held positions as a projectionist, animator, graphic designer, carpenter, interior and stage designer, toy designer, welder and scenic painter, he's worked with every material and in every medium he could fathom — metal, paper, glass, plastic, rubber, foam, plaster, pneumatics, hydraulics, animatronics, neon, glassblowing, mold-making and injection molding to name just a few.

Since 1993, he’s concentrated on the special effects industry, honing his skills through more than 100 television commercials and a dozen feature films, including Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace and Episode II: Attack of the Clones, Galaxy Quest, Terminator 3, A.I. and the Matrix sequels. He's also designed props and sets for Coca-Cola, Hershey's, Lexus and a host of New York and San Francisco theater companies.

He’s also worked and consulted in the research and development division for toy companies and acted in several films and commercials. In addition to co-hosting MythBusters, a science entertainment television program, Savage consults on a variety of topics and finds time to devote to his own art.

In 2014, the Nebraska Science Festival’s free Science Expo will be open to school groups over the course of two days and at two different locations: The Durham Museum in downtown Omaha and the Strategic Air and Space Museum near Ashland, Neb.

Presented by the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the Nebraska Science Festival is a growing collaboration interested in the advancement of science literacy. The Science Festival is designed to make science accessible, interactive, relevant and fun for kids and adults alike.